As if hearing Esther's voice and recognizing the threat to its existence, the creature's severed body suddenly convulsed.
The twitching intensified, becoming more violent and unnatural.
The black tendrils that had been slithering from its neck stump now shot outward with terrifying speed, stretching farther and writhing like eels through the air, searching for its missing head.
Everyone who saw it froze for a heartbeat, the tension cracking in their heart.
"Esther! Annette! Do it now!" Selene snapped, her tone sharp and urgent.
Esther didn't respond with words just a tight nod. Her eyes were glowing with brilliant white light as she turned to Annette, who stood steady beside her.
Annette nodded back solemnly, and then both of them moved.
Esther raised her arms and began to chant something. Her voice ringing through the temple in a strange cadence.
